A Secret Ambition - Laura - Wattpad

A Secret Ambition

Reads 179,131
Votes 14,418
Parts 39
Time 7h 44m

Reads 179,131
Votes 14,418
Parts 39
Time 7h 44m

aristocracy ashwood duchess duke england grumpysunshine hea historical historicalfiction littlelo love lovestory princess regency regencyromance romance royal secretidentity series

Before giving herself over the the inevitable marriage mart that is the London Season, Lily Beresford is determined to make a clandestine foray out into the real world.

Desperate for a sense of purpose and autonomy before she marries, Lily creates a pseudonym and applies for work as a secretary to an Irish merchant. 

What starts as a simple ruse for a taste of independence quickly becomes complicated as Lily gets to know her new employer, rivals emerge, and trust is ultimately tested. 

Lily is about to learn the true meaning of "be careful what you wish for".All Rights Reserved

aristocracy ashwood duchess duke england grumpysunshine hea historical historicalfiction littlelo love lovestory princess regency regencyromance romance royal secretidentity series

39 parts

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The Reluctant Marchioness by littleLo

After a disastrous first season in London, Rose Wilde finds herself torn between two men who love her -- but who both hide secrets that could ruin her. ***** Rose Wilde has always considered herself plain, especially when compared to her beautiful older sister Charlotte, and has practically given up on the idea of being romanced. But when American hotelier Derek Montgomery comes to revolutionise her little, sleepy English village of Ascot, Rose starts to revisit the idea of falling in love. However, Derek brings with him many secrets and obligations, some that might prohibit him from pursuing Rose -- and push her into the arms of her friend, Michael Cornell, the Marquess of Juniper. Will fate allow Rose and Derek to marry for love? Or will she indeed become the reluctant marchioness? [[Word count: 70,000 - 80,000 words]] Cover designed by Ashley Bandy (The Reluctant Marchioness is the sequel to The Coveted Countess, but can also be read as a standalone)

Regency Romance: An Unexpected Duke's Invitation (A Historical Romance Book) by Eleanormeyers

( COMPLETED STORY) What happens when the rakish Lord in the whole of London is truly falling in love with a simple, plain, and most ordinary girl, something he has been avoiding- his innermost fear. True love? Miss Amy Ott is London's newest riddle. . . She's the mysterious niece of one of England's wealthiest dukes, and is about to encounter her first season. Knowing nothing about the workings of corsets and country dances, she's looking for any help she can find... even when it comes from the most unlikely source... London's infamous rogue-an older Duke. Duke Wardington's face transformed into something... dark . "Don't fear, Miss Ott. I have no desire of you. What if I told you that I could make you the belle of the ball? In every ball. The entire season." Amy chuckled. "Me? The belle of the ball? Impossible!" ... Or was it? This catches the attention from the most unlikely, most alluring man in all of London. Lord Nathaniel Dawnton knows what he wants. Amy Ott. And... this is definitely not in a way that he could speak of in public. The scoundrel, who blackened his own soul, had met all sorts of women throughout his years, but none like Amy. He's intrigued and won't stop until he has her. When Nathaniel's pursuits meet the walls of Amy's strength, the young lord is ready to jump those walls blindly... But... he doesn't realize that a jump toward Amy might mean a fall toward love... something he has been avoiding-his innermost fear ... true love. Find out NOW!

An Unexpected Beginning by SageAurora13

In order to save her family's reputation, Ella Hunter agrees to marry a mysterious nobleman looking to save his family's fortune.

Eventually Yours by ANHorton1227

A younger sister cannot wed before an older sister. It's a law of their society, a rule vehemently obeyed by prominent families in the nobility, and it's always been Ella Harrington's buffer. Ella has never been interested in marrying for anything short of love itself. Unfortunately for her, love is a rarity in the marriages of the aristocracy. Fortunately for her, her sister Emily is precisely one year older than her and is the most unpleasant, disagreeable, sulking woman to ever debut in all of England. So Ella may never have to marry at all. A free woman, she enjoys her time on the sidelines and wishes for nothing more. That is, until a tall, dark, and brooding Duke comes to town alongside an old friend of her brother's. Suddenly, Ella finds herself questioning the antiquated marriage order rule as her buffer begins to feel more like a barrier. Not that it matters. The Duke isn't interested in her anyway. Right?

Until Forever (Complete) by LeeleeKez

Bailey Robinson's orders were simple; get rid of the letter and get back to work. When Bailey begins a correspondence with a mysterious woman, the last thing he expects is to fall in love with her. Or worse, find out that the woman behind the words of those letters, is now about to be wed to his master. ** Elizabeth is unwilling to settle for less in love. Which is why, she has turned down every eligible bachelor in London, to the horror of her parents. A correspondence with the dashing Frederick Wellington is her father's solution to her 'dreaded' spinsterhood, and her last attempt at finally finding the right man. An attempt that causes her to fall head over heels in love with Frederick. Elizabeth has finally met her prince charming. However, the longer she spends with Frederick, the more convinced she is that she has made a terrible mistake; a mistake that might be too late to correct, a mistake that just might cost her everything. Cover by- @Twenty_Nine_

The Duke's Dangerous Wager by TenayaGatrell2

FULL VERSION AVAILABLE ON AMAZON A scandalous kiss sparks an even more scandalous engagement, but secrets and danger threaten to unravel their love before it even begins. *** At a masquerade ball, Tristan Hargrave, the Duke of Ashford, makes a reckless wager: to steal a kiss from the season's most elusive debutante, Isla Everly. But when his drunken bet shatters her reputation, Tristan is left with no choice but to propose. For Isla Everly, the path is clear: secure a wealthy husband to save her family, and avoid the man responsible for their ruin. But when the very same duke brazenly kisses her at the ball, her future prospects crumble. With no other option, Isla reluctantly accepts his offer of marriage. As she navigates her new life with Tristan, Isla discovers a man far kinder than the one she's long despised. Yet her heart remains hardened by his past actions. But when a dangerous figure from Isla's past resurfaces, threatening to expose a dark secret, she is forced to turn to the one man she vowed never to trust.

The Case of the Season by robinwritesatt

[2022 Wattys Shortlist Finalist] In this mash-up of Bridgerton and Enola Holmes set during the Regency, Robin Ballard is sent to London to spend the season with her cousins, the Bridgertons, in the hopes that she will finally find a husband before it is too late, though she doesn't much care for the idea of matrimony. Similarly, the famous and very eligible detective Sherlock Holmes isn't interested in finding a wife, but has been hired to locate a missing heiress, which requires him to circulate amongst the ton, and he's having trouble because he lacks social graces. When he and Robin cross paths at a ball, they come to an arrangement that greatly benefits them both. She'll help him with the ton and he'll marry her, after which they can comfortably live their lives apart. But as they spend more time together, they find that close proximity has turned their ruse into reality.

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A Solemn Promise by littleLo

As Lord Adam Beresford left Ashwood, Hertfordshire for the training and education of a gentleman, he promised to return and marry his childhood best friend, and the only girl he could see himself marrying, Grace Denham. Neither of them foresaw that it would be twelve years until they would meet again. A lot has changed in that time, and their lives are vastly different. Adam became a gentleman, and everything that the heir to a Dukedom ought to be. Grace remained in Ashwood and became a housemaid to support her family. But as their lives intertwine once more, their childhood promise bubbles to the surface, throwing their lives, the lives of their families, and the village of Ashwood into chaos.

The Wayward Miss Wainwright by ArabellaSheraton1

Miss Helena Wainwright is determined to see her nieces and nephew well settled with their new guardian, the Duke of Rotherham. After six months of transition, the children are beginning to bond with their uncle, but Helena and the Duke aren’t able to get much past the barest of civilities. Now that the duke is poised to offer for the shy Miss Fanshawe, Helena is horrified to discover an awful secret about the young lady and her scheming mother. What is she going to do--keep the secret or reveal all in her own bid for the duke’s heart? Ready to settle down and provide a stable environment for his wards, Vernon Wroxby, the Duke of Rotherham, has decided the amenable Miss Fanshawe will do, even if he dislikes her outspoken, uncouth mama. If he could just quit wondering what Miss Wainwright is doing (and with whom) he’d be able to appreciate the match a bit more. But as his wards begin to rebel against the idea of this marriage, and he starts to realize that his affections really reside with Miss Wainwright, will one determined marriage-mart mama ruin any chance he might have for true happiness?

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The Reluctant Marchioness cover

Regency Romance: An Unexpected Duke's Invitation (A Historical Romance Book) cover

An Unexpected Beginning cover

Eventually Yours cover

Until Forever (Complete) cover

The Duke's Dangerous Wager cover

The Case of the Season cover

The Accidental Duchess cover

A Solemn Promise cover

The Wayward Miss Wainwright cover

The Reluctant Marchioness

After a disastrous first season in London, Rose Wilde finds herself torn between two men who love her -- but who both hide secrets that could ruin her. ***** Rose Wilde has always considered herself plain, especially when compared to her beautiful older sister Charlotte, and has practically given up on the idea of being romanced. But when American hotelier Derek Montgomery comes to revolutionise her little, sleepy English village of Ascot, Rose starts to revisit the idea of falling in love. However, Derek brings with him many secrets and obligations, some that might prohibit him from pursuing Rose -- and push her into the arms of her friend, Michael Cornell, the Marquess of Juniper. Will fate allow Rose and Derek to marry for love? Or will she indeed become the reluctant marchioness? [[Word count: 70,000 - 80,000 words]] Cover designed by Ashley Bandy (The Reluctant Marchioness is the sequel to The Coveted Countess, but can also be read as a standalone)